Channel for interior glass panel

ABSTRACT

A channel for including a glass panel in a suspended ceiling. The channel includes a U-shaped body having a first vertical wall having a top end and a bottom end, a second vertical wall having a top end and a bottom end, and a top wall which connects the top end of the first vertical wall and the top end of the second vertical wall. The first vertical wall, the second vertical wall, and the top wall define a downward facing recess sized to hold an edge of the glass panel. A downward facing hooked protrusion extends from the first vertical leg adjacent to the top end, and an upward facing hooked protrusion extends from the first vertical leg adjacent to the bottom end. A horizontal flange is attached to the bottom end of the first vertical leg which extends away from the downward facing recess.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/152,374, filed on Apr. 24, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated in this application by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a suspended ceiling system. More particularly, the invention relates to a channel for integrating vertical glass panels into a suspended ceiling system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is often desirable to have glass partitions in the interior of a room, for example to divide a larger open space into individual offices without blocking the transmission of light. Typically, such partitions run the full height of the interior space (i.e., from the floor to the ceiling), or may extend only from the ceiling to an opaque vertical wall or partition extending up from the floor, and are used in conjunction with a suspended ceiling which extends below the structural ceiling. It is also often further desirable for the glass partition to have the appearance of extending into the ceiling. However, current systems for installing glass partitions require the use of a channel which extends below the level of the suspended ceiling, resulting in an unsightly intersection between the glass partition and suspended ceiling. Current systems also require extensive framing to structural supports which increases the complexity of installation. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a new system which permits the installation of glass partitions which appear to extend into the ceiling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, but are not restrictive, of the invention.

In one embodiment, a channel for supporting a glass panel in a suspended ceiling is provided. The channel includes a U-shaped body having a first vertical wall having a top end and a bottom end, a second vertical wall having a top end and a bottom end, and a top wall which connects the top end of the first vertical wall and the top end of the second vertical wall. The first vertical wall, the second vertical wall, and the top wall define a downward facing recess sized to hold an edge of the glass panel. A first downward facing hooked protrusion extends from the first vertical leg adjacent to the top end, and a first upward facing hooked protrusion extends from the first vertical leg adjacent to the bottom end. The channel further includes a first horizontal flange attached to the bottom end of the first vertical leg which extends away from the downward facing recess and is perpendicular to the first vertical leg. The channel may further include a second downward facing hooked protrusion extending from the second vertical leg adjacent to the top end, a second upward facing hooked protrusion extending from the second vertical leg adjacent to the bottom end, and a second horizontal flange attached to the bottom end of the second vertical leg which extends away from the downward facing recess and is perpendicular to the second vertical leg. The channel may further include a first vertical flange extending downward from the bottom end of the first vertical wall, a second vertical flange extending downward from the bottom end of the second vertical wall, or both. The bottom of either the first horizontal flange, the second horizontal flange, or both may be textured.

In another embodiment, an apparatus for supporting a glass panel in a suspended ceiling is provided. The apparatus includes a first channel, a connector clip, and a ceiling beam. The channel includes a U-shaped body having a first vertical wall having a top end and a bottom end, a second vertical wall having a top end and a bottom end, and a top wall which connects the top end of the first vertical wall and the top end of the second vertical wall. The first vertical wall, the second vertical wall, and the top wall define a downward facing recess sized to hold an edge of the glass panel. A downward facing hooked protrusion extends from the first vertical leg adjacent to the top end, and an upward facing hooked protrusion extends from the first vertical leg adjacent to the bottom end. The channel further includes a first horizontal flange attached to the bottom end of the first vertical leg which extends away from the downward facing recess and is perpendicular to the first vertical leg. The connector clip includes a channel portion having opposing rounded corners, opposing square corners, a flat top surface, and a flat bottom surface; and a beam portion attached at a right angle to the channel portion including a plurality of holes. The distance between the rounded corners of the channel portion is less than the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface. The ceiling beam includes a bulb, a vertical web extending downward from the bulb, and a horizontally extending flange at a bottom of the web. The plurality of holes in the beam portion may include a slot which allows the ceiling beam and the connector to move laterally. The connector clip attaches to the first channel by vertically aligning the opposing rounded corners of the channel portion between the downward facing hooked protrusion and the upward facing hooked protrusion and rotating the connector clip to vertically align the flat top surface and the flat bottom surface. The connector clip is attached to the ceiling beam by one or more fastening elements inserted through the holes in the beam portion and into the web of the ceiling beam. The apparatus may further include a glass panel inserted into the downward facing recess of the first channel. The glass panel may be secured to the first channel by a gasket. The horizontally extending flange of the ceiling beam may rest on the horizontal flange of the first channel. The first channel further may further include a vertical flange extending downward from the bottom end of the first vertical wall. The apparatus may further include a ceiling panel supported by the horizontal flange of the first channel. The ceiling panel may include a groove into which the horizontal flange of the first channel is inserted. The horizontal flange of the first channel may include a textured bottom. The apparatus may further include a drywall sheet which rests on the horizontal flange of the first channel and is secured to the horizontally extending flange of the ceiling beam with a fastening element. The drywall sheet may be taped to the textured bottom of the first channel. The top wall of the first channel may be secured to a metal stud with a fastening element. The metal stud may include a wood backing attached to the fastening element. The first channel may be attached to a second channel by a splice plate which includes a set screw in contact with the first vertical wall of the first channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawing are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawing are the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a channel, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two channels joined by a splice plate, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a connector clip, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an installed system including ceiling beams, the connector clips of FIG. 3, and the channel of FIGS. 1A and 1B, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an installed system including ceiling beams, the connector clips of FIG. 3, and the channel of FIGS. 1A and 1B, a glass panel in the channel, and a structural support, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6A is an end view of a channel, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6B is an end view of a channel, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6C is an end view of a channel, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6D is an end view of a channel, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7A is a side view of an installed system including ceiling beams, seismic connector clips, and the channel of FIG. 6A, and a glass panel in the channel, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7B is a side view of an installed system including ceiling beams, the connector clips of FIG. 3, and the channel of FIG. 6B, and a glass panel in the channel, according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7C is a side view of an installed system including ceiling beams, the connector clips of FIG. 3, and the channel of FIG. 6C, and a glass panel in the channel, according to an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7D is a side view of an installed system including ceiling beams, the connector clips of FIG. 3, and the channel of FIG. 6D, and a glass panel in the channel, according to an embodiment of the invention.

When referring to the drawing, like reference numbers refer to like elements throughout the various figures that comprise the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various terms relating to aspects of the invention are used throughout the specification and claims. Such terms are to be given their ordinary meaning in the art, unless otherwise indicated. Other specifically defined terms are to be construed in a manner consistent with the definition provided herein.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless expressly stated otherwise.

The invention provides for a system for installing a glass panel as part of a suspended ceiling. As used herein, terms such as “vertical,” “top,” “bottom,” “upward,” “downward” and the like refer to the orientation of the figures. The orientation of the figures is also typically the orientation in which the glass panel is installed. Such directional terms are for illustrative purposes only and should not be interpreted as limiting the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a channel 100 a is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The channel includes a first vertical wall 110, a second vertical wall 130, and a top wall 150, which connects a top end 112 of the first vertical wall 110 to a top end 132 of the second vertical wall 130. The first vertical wall 110, the second vertical wall 130, and the top wall 150 define a downward facing recess 160. Attached to the first vertical wall 110 are a first downward facing hooked protrusion 114 adjacent to the top end 112 of the first vertical wall 110 and a first upward facing hooked protrusion 116 adjacent to a bottom end 118 of the first vertical wall 110 opposite the top end 112. The first upward facing hooked protrusion 116 and the first downward facing hooked protrusion 114 define a first track 120. Attached to the second vertical wall 130 are a second downward facing hooked protrusion 134 adjacent to the top end 132 of the second vertical wall 130 and a second upward facing hooked protrusion 136 adjacent to a bottom end 138 of the first vertical wall 130 opposite the top end 132. The first upward facing hooked protrusion 136 and the first downward facing hooked protrusion 134 define a second track 140. The channel 100 a also includes a first horizontal flange 122 attached to the bottom end 118 of the first vertical wall 110 and a second horizontal flange 142 attached to the bottom end 138 of the second vertical wall 130. The first horizontal flange 122 and the second horizontal flange 142 extend away from the downward facing recess 160 in opposite directions and are substantially perpendicular to the first vertical wall 110 and the second vertical wall 130.

The channel 100 a may have any suitable length L1, but typical lengths are approximately 10 feet or less. The channel 100 a is preferably made of a material which may be cut to a desired length. As depicted in FIG. 2, to achieve longer lengths, two channels 100 a may be joined by a splice plate 200. The splice plate 200 is sized to fit within the tracks 120, 140 and includes set screws 210 which, when tightened, hold the splice plate 200 in position within either the track 120 or the track 140. Typically, but not necessarily, two splice plates 200 are used (i.e., one in channel 120 and one in channel 140) to join the two channels 100 a.

The channel 100 a is used in conjunction with a connector clip 300. Referring to FIG. 3, the connector clip 300 includes a channel portion 310 and a beam portion 330 joined at a right angle to the channel portion 310. The channel portion 310 is generally rectangular in cross section, includes two square corners 312 on diagonally opposing corners and two rounded corners 314 on the remaining two on diagonally opposing corners, and has a substantially flat top surface 316 and a substantially flat bottom surface 318. The rounded corners 314 allow the first diagonal length D1 measured between the rounded corners 314 to be less than the height H1 measured between the top surface 316 and the bottom surface 318. The height H1 is approximately equal to the lengths of the tracks 120, 140. The channel portion 310 may further include lanced portions 320 on the top surface 316 and the bottom surface 318. The beam portion 330 includes a plurality of holes 332.

Referring to FIG. 4, the connector clip 300 is attached to the channel 100 a by first vertically aligning the two rounded corners 314 in the track 120 of the channel 100 a. The connector clip 300 is then rotated to vertically align the top surface 316 and the bottom surface 318 so that the top surface 316 and the bottom surface 318 engage with the first upward facing hooked protrusion 116 and the first downward facing hooked protrusion 114. The connector clip 300 may be installed with the top surface 316 engaged with either the first upward facing hooked protrusion 116 or the first downward facing hooked protrusion 114 to obtain the desired orientation of the beam portion 330. The lanced portions 320 may also be engaged with the first upward facing hooked protrusion 116 and the first downward facing hooked protrusion 114 to further secure the connector clip 300 in the track 120. A ceiling beam 400 may then be secured to the connector clip 300. The beam 400 includes, in cross section, a bulb 410 at the top, a vertical downward extending web 420, and horizontally extending flanges 430 at the bottom of the web 420. The beam 400 is attached to the connector clip 300 by securing one or more fastening elements, such as screws, though the holes 332 in the beam portion 330 of the connector clip 300 and into the web 420 of the beam 400. In some embodiments, the flanges 430 of the beam 400 may rest on the first horizontal flange 122 of the channel 100 a for extra support.

Referring to FIG. 5, after the beams 400 are attached to the channel 100 a via the connector clips 300, a glass panel 500 may be installed in the channel 100 by vertically inserting the glass panel 500 into the downward facing recess 160. The glass panel 500 may be secured with a gasket 550.

In some embodiments, the channel 100 a may be further secured to a vertical metal stud 600. The vertical metal stud 600 may be secured to a structural support (not shown) via a diagonal metal stud 620. the channel 100 a may be secured to the vertical metal stud 600 by a fastening element 602 inserted through the channel 100 a from the downward facing recess 160 which extends through the vertical metal stud 600. The vertical metal stud 600 may include a wood (or other suitable) backing 610 to provide a suitable substrate for the fastening element 602 to attach to. The wood backing 610 may be further attached to the vertical metal stud 600 by additional fastening elements 612. Ceiling panels (not shown) may also be installed which rest on the flanges 430 of the beams 400, the horizontal flanges 122, 142 of the channel 100 a, or both.

FIGS. 6A-6D depict alternate embodiments of the channel 100 a. For example, FIG. 6A depicts a channel 100 b with longer horizontal flanges 122, 142 than the channel 100 a. Longer flanges may be suitable for application where seismic activity is a concern. As depicted in FIG. 7A, the channel 100 b may be installed using seismic connector clips 350. The seismic connector clips 350 are identical to the connector clip 300, except that the beam portion includes a slot 352 rather than holes 332. When a fastening element is installed through the slot 352, the beams 400 and the seismic connector clips 350 can move laterally, allowing for movement during a seismic event which would otherwise apply destructive levels of force to the suspended ceiling. The longer flanges 122, 142 of the channel 100 b ensure than the end of the ceiling beams 400 remains above the respective flange 122, 142 in the event of lateral movement.

FIG. 6B depicts a channel 100 c with first and second vertical flanges 126, 146 which extend down from the bottom end 118 of the first vertical wall 110 and the bottom end 138 of the second vertical wall 130, respectively. As shown in FIG. 7B, the channel 100 c may be used with grooved ceiling panels 700 which are supported by the horizontal flanges 122, 142 of the channel 100 a and partially hang below the flanges of the beams 400. To accommodate the extra thickness of the grooved ceiling panels 700, the connector clips 300 are installed in an inverted position relative to the position depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 such that there is a gap between the horizontal level of the horizontal flanges 122, 142 of the channel 100 c and the flanges 430 of the ceiling beams 400. Because the ends of the grooved ceiling panels 700 extend past the ends of the horizontal flanges 122, 142, a more unitary appearance is achieved in combination with the first and second vertical flanges 126, 146 with reduced seams between the grooved ceiling panels 700.

FIG. 6C depicts a channel 100 c with horizontal flanges 122, 142 with textured bottoms 124, 144. In FIG. 6C, drywall sheets 800 are used rather than ceiling panels. To accommodate the extra thickness of the drywall sheets 800, the connector clips 300 are installed in an inverted position relative to the position depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 such that there is a gap between the horizontal level of the horizontal flanges 122, 142 of the channel 100 c and the flanges 430 of the ceiling beams 400. The drywall sheets 800 may then be installed so that the drywall sheets 800 are supported by the horizontal flanges 122, 142 of the channel 100 a but are positioned below the flanges 430 of the ceiling beams 400. The drywall sheets 800 may then be fastened to the flanges 430 of the ceiling beams 400 with screws or other suitable fastening elements which are inserted upward through the drywall sheets 800 and into the flanges 430. The textured bottoms 124, 144 of the horizontal flanges 122, 142 helps facilitate taping the ends of the drywall sheets 800 to reduce the appearance of the joint between the drywall sheets 800 and the channel 100 c.

Referring to FIG. 6D, it will be understood that, in some embodiments, the channels may not be symmetrical. Rather, the first vertical 100 and the second vertical wall 130 may be different to accommodate different connections on each side of the channel. For example, FIG. 6D depicts a channel 100 d with a horizontal flange 122 with a textured bottom 124 while the horizontal flange 142 is not textured. The channel 100 d may be used to create a transition between ceiling panels adjacent to the first vertical wall 100 and drywall adjacent to the second vertical wall 130. The ceiling panels and drywall may be installed as described in conjunction with FIGS. 4, 5, and 6C.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and exemplified above, but is capable of variation and modification within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A channel for supporting a glass panel in a suspended ceiling, the channel comprising: a U-shaped body having a first vertical wall having a top end and a bottom end, a second vertical wall having a top end and a bottom end, and a top wall which connects the top end of the first vertical wall and the top end of the second vertical wall, wherein the first vertical wall, the second vertical wall, and the top wall define a downward facing recess sized to hold an edge of a glass panel; a first downward facing hooked protrusion extending from the first vertical leg adjacent to the top end; a first upward facing hooked protrusion extending from the first vertical leg adjacent to the bottom end; and a first horizontal flange attached to the bottom end of the first vertical leg which extends away from the downward facing recess and is perpendicular to the first vertical leg.
 2. The channel of claim 1, further comprising: a second downward facing hooked protrusion extending from the second vertical leg adjacent to the top end; a second upward facing hooked protrusion extending from the second vertical leg adjacent to the bottom end; and a second horizontal flange attached to the bottom end of the second vertical leg which extends away from the downward facing recess and is perpendicular to the second vertical leg.
 3. The channel of claim 1, further comprising a first vertical flange extending downward from the bottom end of the first vertical wall.
 4. The channel of claim 2, further comprising a vertical flange extending downward from the bottom end of the second vertical wall.
 5. The channel of claim 1, wherein a bottom of the first horizontal flange is textured.
 6. The channel of claim 2, wherein a bottom of the second horizontal flange is textured.
 7. An apparatus for supporting a glass panel in a suspended ceiling, the apparatus comprising a first channel including: a U-shaped body having a first vertical wall having a top end and a bottom end, a second vertical wall having a top end and a bottom end, and a top wall which connects the top end of the first vertical wall and the top end of the second vertical wall, wherein the first wall leg, the second vertical wall, and the top wall define a downward facing recess sized to hold an edge of a glass panel, a downward facing hooked protrusion extending from the first vertical wall adjacent to the top end, an upward facing hooked protrusion extending from the first vertical wall adjacent to the bottom end, and a horizontal flange attached to the bottom end of the first vertical wall which extends away from the downward facing recess and is perpendicular to the first vertical wall; a connector clip including: a channel portion, the channel portion having opposing rounded corners, opposing square corners, a flat top surface, and a flat bottom surface, wherein the distance between the rounded corners is less than the distance between the top surface and the bottom surface, and a beam portion attached to the channel portion at a right angle, the beam portion including a plurality of holes; and a ceiling beam including a bulb, a vertical web extending downward from the bulb, and a horizontally extending flange at a bottom of the web, wherein the connector clip attaches to the first channel by vertically aligning the opposing rounded corners of the channel portion between the downward facing hooked protrusion and the upward facing hooked protrusion and rotating the connector clip to vertically align the flat top surface and the flat bottom surface, and wherein the connector clip is attached to the ceiling beam by one or more fastening elements inserted through the holes in the beam portion and into the web of the ceiling beam.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a glass panel inserted into the downward facing recess of the first channel.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the glass panel is secured to the first channel by a gasket.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the horizontally extending flange of the ceiling beam rests on the horizontal flange of the first channel.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a ceiling panel resting on the horizontally extending flange of the ceiling beam and the horizontal flange of the first channel.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first channel further comprises a vertical flange extending downward from the bottom end of the first vertical wall.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a ceiling panel including a groove, wherein the ceiling panel is supported by the horizontal flange of the first channel and the horizontal flange of the first channel is inserted into the groove of the ceiling panel.
 14. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the horizontal flange of the first channel includes a textured bottom.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a drywall sheet which rests on the horizontal flange of the first channel and is secured to the horizontally extending flange of the ceiling beam with a fastening element, wherein the drywall sheet is taped to the textured bottom of the first channel.
 16. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the plurality of holes in the beam portion include a slot which allows the ceiling beam and the connector to move laterally.
 17. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the top wall of the first channel is secured to a metal stud with a fastening element.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the metal stud includes a wood backing attached to the fastening element.
 19. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the first channel is attached to a second channel by a splice plate.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the splice plate includes a set screw in contact with the first vertical wall of the first channel. 